Three million Vietnamese youths suffer from mental health problems
About 3 million young Vietnamese are affected by mental and psychological problems but only 20 percent of them receive medical treatment, while the rest resort to alcohol, tobacco, and drug, said a doctor in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Song Chi Trung from the Centre for Technology Transfer in HIV and Addiction Treatment under the Ho Chi Minh City Medical University speaks at the conference (Photo: soha.vn)
Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – About 3 million youngVietnamese are affected by mental and psychological problems but only 20percent of them receive medical treatment, while the rest resort to alcohol,tobacco, and drug, said a doctor in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen Song Chi Trung from the Centre for TechnologyTransfer in HIV and Addiction Treatment under the Ho Chi Minh City MedicalUniversity shared the information at a recent conference on mental health anddrug use among youths.
According to Trung, there are many reasons leading to druguse among young people, such as the pressure of self-assertion, peer pressure,being a victim of abuse, divorced parent, and poverty. They often come to drugas a new experiment, however, some turn into addicts.
Trung said the family plays a key role in keeping youngpeople away from stimulants. Parents need to equip themselves with knowledge onearly symptoms of mental health problems and help their children get lifeskills to be able to deal with challenges at school and in society, he advised.
He recommended avoiding ostracism and discrimination againstyoung drug users as the practice can hamper their treatment and rehabilitation.
According to the World Health Organisation, half ofpsychological disorders start at the age of 14, most going unnoticed oruntreated.
A UNICEF’s study of mental health and psychosocial wellbeingamong children and young people in Vietnam this year showed the average rate ofhaving mental health problems among people aged 14 – 18 was 12 percent. Themost common disorders were depression, anxiety disorder, loneliness, and attention-deficithyperactivity disorder.-VNA
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Nguyen Song Chi Trung from the Centre for Technology Transfer in HIV and Addiction Treatment under the Ho Chi Minh City Medical University speaks at the conference (Photo: soha.vn) 
